Press Center

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., (March 8, 2011)- Olympus applauds Senators Joseph Lieberman and Kay Bailey Hutchison and Representatives Kay Granger and Jim McGovern for the introduction of important legislation that will ensure the Americans who need it most have access to life-saving colon cancer screenings. Olympus urges the swift passage of this critical measure, the "Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act," (S.494/H.R.912). Every year colon cancer claims more than 50,000 lives despite the fact that, if caught early, it can be prevented 90 percent of the time.

"Olympus has long been a champion of all efforts to fight colorectal cancer," said Olympus Corporation of the Americas President and CEO, F. Mark Gumz. "Prevention is key for this disease and we’re heartened that our legislators have recognized this important fact and taken bold steps to ensure all Americans can get screened." Olympus’ "Find it First" campaign is one effort within a broader program intended to raise awareness, encourage early detection and ultimately eliminate colon cancer.

Without the "Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act," the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s landmark healthcare legislation, doesn’t provide everyone with access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment. For example, individuals who are insured through a "grandfathered plan" may not have coverage for colorectal cancer screening. In addition, anyone insured through traditional Medicaid will continue to face financial barriers to colorectal cancer screening tests and services.

According to an independent study by The Lewin Group, the provisions in this bill will save Medicare billions of dollars. In addition, the bill will establish a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide screenings and treatment for colorectal cancer for individuals between 50 – 64 and high risk, low-income and uninsured individuals. For those individuals who are screened, the bill will ensure the full continuum of cancer care including the appropriate follow-up for abnormal tests, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and treatment for detected cancers.

"Fight Colorectal Cancer is grateful to Representative Kay Granger and Senator Joe Lieberman for their sponsorship of the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act," said Carlea Bauman, President of Fight Colorectal Cancer. "Comprehensive screening is the first line of defense against colorectal cancer. As the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, this is the best first step that Congress can take to helping us with the fight against this disease."

About Find it FirstFinditFirst.com is an Olympus-supported awareness campaign that educates Americans about the importance of getting screened to prevent colon cancer. For every person who commits to get screened or tell a loved one to get screened through the "Find it First" campaign, Olympus has committed to donate a dollar for a total of $50,000 to Fight Colon Cancer and the Colon Cancer Alliance.

About Olympus
Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in its core business areas: Medical and Surgical Products, Life Science Imaging Systems, Industrial Testing and Measurement Instruments and Cameras and Audio Products.

Olympus' Medical Systems Group is a leader in the advancement of less invasive procedures. Olympus, which now includes surgical market leader Gyrus ACMI, provides knowledge and solutions in the areas of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, early-stage cancer evaluation and treatment and innovative, less invasive surgical procedures. Olympus is continually dedicated to elevating standards of patient care to deliver earlier detection, faster and better treatment, improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.